For years, I have said that leaving a muzzleloading rifle loaded was a bad idea (for the rifle). I said that it would absorb moisture and cause rust in the breach area not to mention that you would have to pull the ball. Well, folks, there is enough evidence to prove me wrong and I will admit that it will obviously not harm your rifle and can be reasonably expected to fire even after extended periods of sitting loaded. That being said, I still maintain that it is a bad idea from a safety point. It invites accidental firing by someone who assumes that it is not loaded. Besides, I am just anal enough to want to keep my guns in a pristine, near new, condition when they are not in use. After a hunt, if I have not fired a load, I will fire it and then do the necessary thorough cleaning of every part and the inside of the lock. I lightly oil all of the metal with Barricade and wax the stock before putting the gun back in my gunsafe. Excessive and just a little obsessive/compulsive? Maybe, but all of my guns stay in as near a new gun condition as possible. Do I recommend this to all my friends? Yes. Do I insist that it is the only way to do it. No. But I do tell them that in my personal opinion that it is the best way to do it. :thumbsup: Just the ramblings of an old fart who is somewhat set in his ways. Take if for what it's worth.
